Originally Posted by DebbE

Lived in Australia for a year as an exchange student a llloooong time ago, and return periodically. A few pointers....buy brightly colored ribbons and cut them about 16" long, and tie around your handle -- I use about a dozen, all neon colored -- your luggage will stand out for sure! Second - if you're going to be in that area through January, DON'T go into the ocean around stinger season...those are deadly. If you want to go scuba diving or snorkeling, take one of the boat tours out to one of the outlying islands to do that -- its a must, as the water is like bath water, and the experience is NOT to be missed! Also, if you're going to Sydney, before climbing into a bed, take the bed apart and shake the bedding, look around the corners and edges of baseboards, and under the bed for spiders. Within 50 miles of Sydney is the funnel web spider, and those are deadly. Just keep an eye out for those and take apart the bedding each night and you'll be fine. Before you leave, eat bananas a day or two before and the day of leaving, and your feet and ankles won't retain water....also get up every couple of hours and walk around so you don't have a problem with clots. There are folks that don't get up hardly at all and they are taking a risk. Enjoy Cairns - the rainforest, ocean, scenary is breathtaking!! Downtown Cairns has some great restaurants where you can try a variety of foods, like buffalo, kangaroo, barramundi (hope I spelled it right, its delicious!) and other treats in a platter -- we loved it. Don't put anything of value in your bags or it could disappear - keep it in your carry on luggage with any meds, and one change of clothes in case luggage takes the long route! I LOVE Australia - its wonderful!!